Apparatus for liquid treating of fabric in a festoon-like arrangement



APPARATUS FOR LIQUID TREATING OF FABRIC IN .A FESTOON LIKE ARRANGEMENT Filed Dec. 1. 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 0 0 I i 24 l Au w i' gfiw, BY

' Afiarney Nov. 26, 1957 Filed Dec. 1, 1954 APPARATUS FOR LIQUID TREATING OF FABRIC A J. BRUNNER 2,814,192

IN A FESTOON-LIKE ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT R.

4 137M)? Jazo Bran/M Nov. 26, 1957 A. J. BRUNNER APPARATUS FOR LIQUID TREATING OF FABRIC IN A FESTOON-LIKE ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 1, 1954 INVENTOR. AM? M52 Jami 45/ 4/1170 Nov. 26, 1957 A. .1. BRUNNER APPARATUS FOR LIQUID TREATING OF FABRIC IN A FESTOON-LIKE ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 1, 1954 INVENTOR. guy Jmpb firwmer Nov. 26, 1957 Filed Dec. 1, 1954 A. J. BRUNNER APPARATUS FOR LIQUID TREATING 0F FABRIC IN A FESTOON-LIKE ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 220 my. H b

\1 22 b 22 I 1W \21 ll A 0 22 27 INVENTOR.

A a/Z14 iii/960$ fi/wlmer 24 27 Y United States Patent=** with supportingwooden members and ,a .particularguide fdSLgWithsaid. vat for said chaingande said. .supportingmembersfon obtaining relative. displacements .of thedatter...

during the lengthwise motion of;sa-id..convey,or.

Apparatus in. which the. festooned. .fabrieis supported by,ja series ,ofparallelwooden sticks or stoves. having at- H their ends,arm s lying in the same radialzplane and, freely. piyoted, respectively, at their free .ends. incoaxial relation-tothe pivots of a pair of endless chains each moving along a path,-a part. of which. is directed at right angles to'the vertical plane along which the fabric is delivered to ,the. =,vat,is well known.. The. structure also includes at least one railextendinggbelow and generally parallel with the, upper stretches. or runs of the. endless chains,.;under.- lying s aidsticks andformedwith .a number of successive saw=tooth elevations, that cause repeated rising and falling of ,the ,sticks',., which perform pendular movementssupon advancecofnsaid vchains. A repeated change in lines of contact of. theliquidimrnersed, stickswith theufabric is thereby obtained.

However, such; .amarrangement does 1 not .fully. avoid i'mingl.of. ,stick. marks t onthe fabric treated, because.- the fabric .canpeverbe. drawn away from .the. sticks,-Jso as to. become freely. suspended in the treating liquid: in thej vatand. thereby exposed. .to its. actionuthe zones of" festoons; ,which. bear ,on said sticks. during the-travel of the fabric. in the vat.

One object of the present invention v is to provide an apparatusoflthe kind .disclosed, .fully avoiding the. drawback mentioned. above, and .affordinga very etficientac-wv tion of the treating.- liquid. in the vat -on the fabric, while localized lapping, orcreasingof the latter insits: contact zones with-, the. sticks is fully. avoided.

Another object of theinvention is to provide, in C011": nectionwith theapparatus of the .type; disclosed, an improved .carrier for conveying the. fabrioin a festoon-likerr, arrangement,.-thro ugh the vat, which..is of?simple-. struc-; ture, .easy-.,to manufacture and. low in cost, at :the same;; time ofq high strength,-as to :be suitable for use, in cone.-v neetion with theatreatment of any typerof fabric; including; very heavyfabrics.

Another object oftheinvention is to provide a carriers by which the amount of passiveresistances. such aswremv sistances due to friction is greatly :ICdIlCGdr' Another object-of the invention is to arrange :the .carrienzi S01E18 tornechanically produce a so called :lisage? effe'ct;-:;;

which isnormally accomplished by thetextile f workers-1w when treat-ing.:the thread, fabrics or similar articles on .the sticks.

the-step;;which consists in Zrapidlyv moving; -to and-(.fro

engaging the sticks supported by single links of thezcon-ie.

Y YQI'. c ins to rthefabrir carriers 2,814,192 Patented Nov. 26, 7

'ice

Withthis and othenobjects in view, the nature. of this invention shall hereinafter be explained with-reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. ,1 shows a longitudinal-vertical sectional view of part "of-th,whole-improved apparatus adjacent its side at which fabric is delivered thereto.

Fig-'2 is aview on an'enlarged scale, of a section of the carrier for-tlre-festooned fabric taken in a plane situ ated at right angles to the path of movement of "its upper rum- Fig; 3 is-a plan view'of a part-of the carrier shown in" Fig. '2.

Fig. 4 is a side view of a structural detail of the carrier."

Fig. 5 vis a perspectiveview, on an enlarged scale, of the details of the carrier illustrated in Figures-2 to--4.

Fig. ;6 is an" explanatory diagram showingdiagrammatically the behaviour of the festooned fabric, when supported in the-apparatus by means of the-carrier shown in Figures 2 to 5.

Figs] is a section similar to Fig. 2 of a modified embodiment of the carrier.

Fig'.' *8 is a plan view of part of the carrier embodiment shown jn'Fig. ,7.

Fig'.;9 is .a 'SiCiCl/lfiW" of a structural detail of the modified carrier.

Fig. 10' is a section takenon line XX of Fig. 9.

Fig. 111 is a section taken on line XIXI of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is va side. view of a detail of the carrier according to another modification.

Fig.. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a part of a carrier according to thisother modification.

Fig. .14 is an. explanatory diagram showing diagrammatically the behaviour of the festooned fabric, when supported in the. apparatus by means of the carriermodified as shown in Figures 12 and 13.

Figs. 15, 16 and 17are diagrammatic views showing threesuccessivestages ofoperation of the festooning de-- vice adapted to cooperate with the carrier made according to one of the preceedingFigures 2 to 11.

Figs,;18';.'l9 Tand 20"are diagrammatioviews showing 1 three successive. stages of. operation of. the fes'tooning device-adapted to cooperatewith. thev carrier made ac- I cording to oneofthe'preceeding Figures 1 1 to .14.

Fig; 2.1" is a perspective view of a detail ofthe carrier,- accordingtoa modification of the latter.

Referring to the' drawings whereinv similar elements are denoted throughout the figures bythe same reference numerals inwhich the numeral -1 vdenotes a vat conv taining treating liquid and 2 one. of a pair of four pairs ofsprocket wheels,'.each pair being mounted on. a shaft 3 journallecl in suitabl'ebearings .(not shown) in the fixed structure comprising thevat 1. Around the. sprocket wheels2 "extend a pair of endless,chains.4, the path of which generally comprises a substantially horizontal upper stretch or run and a lower stretchor run. The chains together formy'a carrieradapted to convey the fabric through ;the".vat.'.' Moto'rmeanstnot shown) adapted to, rotate one-0f the"shafts"3, are provided in order to effect a length-wise movement of the chains in the direction shown'by the arrow A in Fig.. 1.

A liquid delivery'or so. called cascade device 5 is provided consisting of a tank subdivided by spaced upright walls "6 providing a hopper, the upper edge of which is subjacent to the upper end of the tank 5 and" having a tapered bottom'provided with'a longitudinal slot-like" outlet 7, sothat the liquid overflowing 'the upper" edges 'of-the hopper can flow to the outlet 7.

Theif-abricF is delivered downwardly, as by a pairof" suitablyzrotated rolls'8 and-'9, to-the tank 5 through'an' 0 upper-opening ltl andruns-through the outlet -7 towards the rcarrier '4'.

Treating liquid is continuously-pumped intothe tank 5 of the cascade device at inlets 11 and leaves it through the hopper outlet 7 together with the fabric. A pendant partition 36 hinged at the hopper 6 near its outlet 7 and extending towards the carrier comprising the chains 4 is provided to form a festooning device.

Its purpose and manner of operation of the device will be hereinafter explained.

The width, taken in a plane perpendicular to that of Fig. 1, of the tank 5, more particularly of the slot 7 forming the outlet from the hopper is chosen so as to be substantially equal to the spacing between the chains 4 of the carrier.

The upper run of the carrier is arranged preferably below the level 13 of the liquid in the vat. The liquid can be withdrawn from the vat and returned to the eascade device.

The chains 4 of the carrier each comprise links pivoted together at equally spaced intervals as at 14.

.Alternate links (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) of each chain consist of pairs of parallel spaced inner plates 15a and 15b, aligned for each chain along inner and outer rows, respectively, and of pairs of parallel outer plates 16a and 16b, aligned for each chain along inner and outer rows, respectively. The pairs of plates 15a, 15b are hinged tothe plates 16a and 16b overlapping the former at their lower region by means of coaxial pivots 17a, 17b formed at the opposite ends of the cylindrical pivots 18, of greater diameter, which are coaxial therewith and also act as a spacer for the plates 15a, 15b and 16a, 16b at their lower zones. said plates act at the same time as spacers, so that correct spacing of the plates in the direction of the width of the carrier is constantly insured.

Obviously, the pivots could be of any other suitable form, as they are no characteristic feature of the invention. All the plates form'ng the links of the chain are generally arranged in planes perpendicular to the planes containing the axes of the coaxial pivots 17a and 17b connecting subsequent plates of each row.

Both chains are so arranged that during the operation of the carrier the pivots 18 connecting their links are constantly coaxial and aligned as closely as possible.

All plates are substantially of the same outer shape. However, the plates of each chain appertaining to the inner rows are formed with longitudinal slots 20, extending in each plate with the slot axis perpendicular to the plane containing the axes of the pivots 18 connecting said plate with the plates of the adjacent row, and lying in the transverse plane of symmetry of said plate.

The slots 20 in the plates 15a, 16a of one chain are obviously aligned with the slots in the corresponding plates of the other chain, and receive the flattened end portions 21 of a series of sticks or wooden members 22 intended to support or carry the loops L of the festooned fabric as the latter travels through the vat. The end portions 21 of the members 22 are slidably mounted in the slots 20, so that said wooden members may be raised and lowered with respect to the chain links. The intermediate portions 22C of the wooden members 22 are circular in cross section, and can be made tubular in order to reduce their weight. Alternatively, they can be made elliptical in cross section, in order to increase their strength against bending when loaded with loops of heavy fabric or other material'of great weight.

Obviously, they may be tubular along their whole length and have a diameter suited to the width of the slots 20.

They can be made tubular and be provided with apertures, as an intermediate portion 122C, in their wall in order to reduce the contact surface between said wall and the fabric and thus allow wetting of the latter by the Pivots 19 linking the upper zones of treating liquid along said contact surface (see Fig. 21).

This structure is convenient in cases when highly sensitive fabrics or material are treated, which are sensitive to. contact with smooth surface. 1

The chains 4 are supported and guided along their upper stretches or runs by suitable guide and supporting means, such as plates 23 secured to angle irons 24 fast with the side walls 35 of the vat 1, and flat irons 26 secured to said walls and insuring a correct clearance be-v horizontal top surfaces 29, vertical surfaces 30 and horizontal bottom surfaces 31 following one another. The guides are arranged in the vat with their profiles aligned and constantly engaging the intermediate portions of the wooden supports 22 near the zones at which the flattened portion of the latter begins. This arrangement of the guides and slots in the links of both chains causes during the operation of the apparatus, that is. during travelling of the pendant fabric loops, hanging downwardly from the supports through the vat, repeated gradual raising thereof followed by sudden dropping of the wooden supports with consequent temporary floating of the fabric loops free from the 3 supports in the treatment liquid as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

The efficiency of the bath is thereby considerably increased and the period during which the fabric is in contact with the supports with the danger of forming stick marks on the fabric, is reduced. In fact, due to the upward hydrostatic thrust, the fabric slowly follows the downward movement of the sticks or supports and is taken up by them only after the latter have travelled a considerable way over the next sloping portions of the saw-toothed guides.

The profile of the guides can obviously be other than shown on the drawings, provided it causes the sticks to perform a movement of the character described.

Finally, the slots 20 may be replaced by other equivalent means, such as upright or vertical bars engaging forks or eyes provided at the ends of the supports, in order to allow vertical displacements of the latter when they engage the upper edges of the guides.

'In order to allow use of supports of equal length the inner faces of the plates 16b'have secured thereto by means of point welding, lugs 32 equalling in width the plates 15b and facing the slots 20 provided in plates 16a. The lugs may be formed from the material left when cutting the slots 20 in plates 15a and 16a.

'In order to avoid the necessity of welding of the lugs 32 to the outer plates 16b, which is rather elaborate and expensive, thelinks can be made as shown in Figures 7 to 11. In this case the links of each chain comprise outer plates 116a and 116b formed with upright projections 133a and 133b, which are in the form of plates bent with respect to the plates 116a and 116b, so as to be aligned with the rows of inner plates a and 11511. The projections 133a are provided with slots 120.

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of the chain according to which the plates 215a and 216a, that is, the plates pertaining to the inner rows of plates of each chain, are each provided with two parallel slots 220, whereby each of said plates engages the flattened end portions of two adjacent supports.

In this case any loop of fabric is supported by two successive wooden supports close to each other. The

above mentioned effect of lisage is thereby mechanically obtained as clearly shown in Figure 14.

The manner in which the fabric is folded to form loops or festoons depending freely from the supports within the treatment liquid contained in the vat, will now be explained. a

As shown in Fig. 1, each of the guides 27 is-form'cd henna whereby all the sticks or Supports conveyed along said zone are arranged substantially with their axes lying in a common horizontal plane. The hopper 6 carries hinged thereto at 35, near its outlet Ta depending plate 36 (Figs. to the dimension of whiehmeasured in a plane perpendicular to the planeof the drawing, equals at least the length of the outlet slot 7. The. length ofv saidplate is such that it maybe engaged by the flanks of the successive wooden supports ,(that is, their intermediate portions 22C)" upon theirfadvancement in the direction of the arrow A. V I i V The manner in which loops or festoons of the fabric are suspended on successive sticks will be clearly under- .stood from Figures 15, 16 and 17. 7 i

The fabric F issues through the outlet 7 of the'hopper under the action of the mass 'of theiliq uid leaving the latter. When the plate 36 is in a vertical position (Fig. 15) the fabric moves downwardlywithin the treatment bath in the vat. On advancement of the supports 22 (Fig, 16) in the direction of the arrow A, the plate is carried along as its lower ,edge 37 touching the flank or leading face of a support 22 as shown. I

The liquid and fabric issuing from the outlet 7 slide over the plate 36 and flow downwardly ahead of the support 22. This arrangement is advantageous inasmuch as it promotes even stretching of the fabric and prevents creases from being formed at the next stage, whichbegins when the lower edge 37 of the plate 36 is disengaged from the support 22. The plate then rapidly resumes its vertical position (Fig. 17) as it is displaced by the thrust of the liquid and fabric sliding on the plate. This sudden oscillation of the plate sets up a suction effect which assists in forming the fabric loop superimposedon the next or following wooden support 22. i I l 7 It is clear that such an arrangement absolutely prevents bridging two or more supports by the same loop of fabric.

Obviously, the length of the outlet orslot 7 is smaller than the spacing of the opposed saw-toothed guides 27, the looping being due to the fact that the downfall of the fabric is faster than the advance of the carrier bearing the wooden support.

When bridging of the two supporting members by the loops of fabric is desired, an arrangement shown in Figures l8, l9 and 20 may be employed.

As will be seen fromsaid figures, in order to bridge two successive supporting members 22 by a loop of fabric, it may be sufiicient for the alternate wooden support members 22 to be arranged with their axes relatively shifted.

in a vertical direction'as they move along the edge or surface 34 of the guides 27, and for the lengthof the depending plate 36 to be such that its lower edge never engages the lower supports 22a but engages the leading face of the upper support member 22b.

The manner in which this feature can be carriedout in practice can be seen in Fig. 13. i

The flattened portions 21 of the supporting or carrying members are made higher. than theirintermediate portions 22C and on alternate members they are long enough (in an axial direction of the members) to engage by their lower edges 21a the upper edges of the saw-toothed guides 27. As the remaining wooden carrying members engage the guides by their intermediate portions, a vertical shifting of the axes of alternate carrying members will be obtained. 7

The use of the depending, plate 36 in connection with the forming of loops not only permits of suspending them to a determinednumber of sticks, but also prevents forming of creases at the point of contact between thefabricand sticks.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for liquid treatment of fabric or similar material in a festoon-like arrangement andgin which the fabric is delivered over a downward couis w comprising a vat for containing a treatmentbath, a car-.

rier for the fabric consistingof two endless chains, the; path of; which generally defines, a substantially hQriZO I lL upper stretch and'a lower stretch, each comprising a series of equal links-pivoted to one another, means for moving both chains lengthwise in the same direction with the.

pivots of one chain alignedwith the .pivots. of the other chain, a series-of supporting, sticks for the fabric loops. movable lengthwise with the carrier, parallel. to one an t other, each supported atits opposed ends by thealigned. links of said chains, means being provided .forallowing relative displacement of said sticks with respect to their supporting links only in a direction. perpendicular to the planes containing the axes of the two subsequent pivots, connecting said links with other adjacent links, two st-ationarysaw-toothed guides in said vat being further provided, extending parallel with the upper stretch of said chains, arranged between the latter, each engagingby its upper edge thegendportions of said sticksat the region at which they engage the aligned links ofthe chains, whereby during travelling of the fabric loops through the vat repeated gradual risingfollowedby sudden falling of the sticks with -consequent temporary floating of said loops in ;the treatment liquid contained in the vat take place.

2. In an apparatus for liquid treatment ,of fabric or similar material in a festoon-like arrangement and in whichthe fabric is delivered over a downwardcourse,

comprising a vat for containing a treatment bath, a carrierfor the fabric consisting of two endless chains, the

path of which generally defines a substantially horizontal upper stretch and a lower stretch, each comprising -a series of equal links pivoted to one another, means for moving both chains lengthwise in the. same direction with the pivots of one chainjaligned with the pivots of the other chain, aseries of supporting sticks for the fabric loops movable lengthwise with the carrier, parallel to one another, each supported at its opposed ends by the aligned links of said chains, said links having upstanding portions p each providedwith at least one slot perpendicular to the plane containing the axes of the two subsequent pivots,

the slots of the aligned links of the two chains being also aligned and receiving the end portions of the sticks which are slidably mounted therein, means being provided for the aligned links of the chains, whereby during travelling 0f the fabric loops through the vat repeated gradual rising followed by sudden falling of the sticks with consequent temporary floating of said loops in the treatment liquid contained in the vat take place.

3. In an apparatus for liquid treating of fabric or similar material in a fastoon-like arrangement and in which the fabric is delivered over a downward course, comprising a vat for containinga treatment vat, a carrier for the fabric consisting of two endless chains thepath of whichgenerally defines a substantially horizontal upper stretch and a lower stretch, each comprising a seriesof equal links pivoted to one another, means for movlng b oth chains lengthwise in the same direction with the pivots of one chain aligned with the pivots of the other chain,

a series of supporting sticks for the fabric loops movable lengthwise with the carrier, parallel with each other and each supported at its opposed ends by the aligned links ofthe saidchains, said links having upstanding portions provided with at least one slot perpendicular to the plane containing axes of the two subsequent pivots connecting said links with other adjacent links, all slots being of the same gwidth and equally spaced along eachchain andtthew; It slots of the; aligned-links of the -twochaius ;beingalso;.- g

7 aligned and the end portions of the sticks which ar slidably mounted therein, means being provided for preventing axial displacement of each stick with respect to its supporting links, two stationary saw-toothed guides in said vat being further provided, extending parallel with the upper stretch of said chains, arranged between the latter, each engaging by its upper edge the end portions of said sticks at the region at which they engage the aligned links of the chains, whereby during travelling of the fabric loops through the vat repeated gradual rising followed by sudden falling of the sticks with consequent temporary floating of said loops in the treatment liquid contained in the vat take place.

4. In an apparatus for liquid treating of fabric or similar material in a festoon-like arrangement and in which the fabric is delivered over a downward course, comprising a vat for containing a treatment vat, a carrier for the fabric consisting of two endless chains the path of which generally defines a substantially horizontal upper stretch and a lower stretch, each comprising a series of equal links pivoted to one another, means for moving both chains lengthwise in the same direction with the pivots of one chain aligned with the pivots of the other chain, alternate links of said chains consisting of pairs of parallel spaced inner plates and pairs of parallel spaced outer plates, said pairs of outer plates overlapping the adjacent pairs of inner plates and being hinged thereto by means of pivots, said plates being arranged in planes perpendicular to the planes containing the axes of two subsequent pivots connecting said links with other adjacent links, the inner and outer plates of each chain facmg the inside of the vat being each provided with at least one slot perpendicular to said plane containing the axes of the subsequent pivots connecting said links with other adjacent links, the slots in the aligned links of the two chains being also aligned, means for maintaining the plates of each link in spaced relationship, a series of supporting stick-s for the fabric loops movable lengthwise with the carrier engaging by its opposed ends the slots facing each other in said two chains, two stationary saw-toothed guides in said vat being further provided,

extending parallel with the upper stretch of said chains,

arranged between the latter, each engaging by its upper edge the end portions of said sticks at the region at which r,

they engagethe aligned links of the chains, whereby during travelling of the fabric loops through the vat repeated gradual rising followed by sudden falling of the sticks with consequent temporary floating of said loops in the treatment liquid contained in the vat take place.

5. Apparatus for liquid treating of fabric or similar material in a festoon-like arrangement and in which the fabric is delivered over a downward course as according to claim 4, wherein the length of the sticks is substantially the distance between the outer plates of the links of one chain and the outer plates of the links of the other chain, and in which said outer plates are provided with fixed lugs substantially equal in width to the width of said inner plates, said lugs being positioned facing the slots engaged by the ends of said sticks, whereby all the sticks are of substantially the same length and axial movement of said sticks is substantially prevented.

6. Apparatus for liquid treating of fabric or similar material in a festoon-like arrangement and in which the fabric is delivered over a downward course as set forth in claim 2, wherein the sticks are provided with flattened end portions engaging the slots cut in aligned links 0 the two chains.

7. Apparatus for liquid treating of fabric or similar material in a festoon-like arrangement and in which the fabric is delivered over a downward course as set forth in claim 2, wherein the sticks are provided with flattened end portions engaging the slots provided in aligned links of the two chains, andwvherein the saw-toothed guides are arranged to engage the zones of the sticks immediately preceding said flattened portions.

8. Apparatus for liquid treating of fabric or similar material in a festoon-like arrangement and in which the fabric is delivered over a downward course as set forth in claim 2, wherein the sticks are provided with flattened end portions engaging the slots cut in aligned links of the two chains, and wherein the saw-toothed guides are arranged to engage the lower edges of said flattened portions, which are offset with respect to the surface of the intermediate portions of the sticks.

9. Apparatus for liquid treating of fabric or similar material in a festoon-like arrangement and in which the fabric is delivered over a downward course as set forth in claim 4, wherein in the inner and outer plates of each chain facing the inner and outer plates of the other chain are provided with two slots symmetrically disposed with respect to the transverse planes of symmetry of said plates, and wherein the sticks are formed with flattened end portions engaging said slots in said plates, the axial length of said flattened portions on alternate sticks being such that they engage the upper edge of the saw-toothed guide by the lower edges of said flattened end portions and by the lowest part of their intermediate portions, respectively,

whereby the alternate sticks lie with their axes at different levels when they engage a horizontal portion of the sawtoothed guide.

10. In an apparatus for liquid treating of fabric or similar material in a festoon-like arrangement and in which the fabric is delivered over a downward course, comprising a vat for containing a treatment vat, a carrier for the fabric consisting of two endless chains the path of which generally defines a substantially horizontal upper stretch and a lower stretch, each comprising a series of equal links pivoted to one another, means for moving both chains lengthwise in the same direction with the pivots of one chain aligned with the pivots of the other chain, alternate links of said chains consisting of pairs of parallel spaced inner plates and pairs of parallel spaced outer plates overlapping by their ends the ends of adjacent pairs of inner plates and hinged thereto by means of pivots, said plates having upstanding projections arranged in planes perpendicular to the planes containing the axes of subsequent pivots connecting said links with other adjacent links, said projections of the inner and outer plates of each chain being provided with at least one slot perpendicular to said plane containing the axes of subsequent pivots connecting said links with other adjacent links, the projections on the outer plates of each link being such as to be aligned with the projections on the inner plates of the same chains, the slots in the aligned links of the two chains being also aligned, means for maintaining the plates of each link in spaced relationship, a series of supporting sticks for the fabric loops movable lengthwise with the carrier engaging by its opposed ends the slots facing each other in said two chains, two stationary saw-toothed guides in said vat being further provided, extending parallel with the upper stretch of said chains, arranged between the latter, each engaging by its upper edge the end portions of said sticks at the region at which they engage the aligned links of the chains, whereby during travelling of the fabric loops through the vat repeated gradual rising followed by sudden falling of thesticks with consequent temporary floating of said loops in the treatment liquid contained in the vat take place.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,196,921 Hurxthal Apr. 9, 1940 2,544,159 Hinnekens Mar. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 860,935 Germany Dec. 29, 1952 

